11 Jul 2016

In recent days, multiple reports have claimed that Crystal Palace are on the verge of signing Liverpool outcast Christian Benteke, but according to his agent, the Belgian striker is planning to stay and fight it out at Anfield.

"Benteke's agent Eris Kismet has told Sky Sports that there is 'nothing in these' [transfer] reports [and] insists Benteke wants to fight for his place".

If this is true, then Benteke is committing career suicide. After being marginalised for much of last season, it's hard to understand why he'd want to stay, especially when Klopp obviously doesn't rate him.

Nothing is going to change next season. Benteke isn't suddenly going to become the type of striker who fits into Klopp's 'run till you collapse from exhaustion and/or get injured' philosophy, so what's the point in staying?

Kismet's comments may be all smoke and mirrors (Sometimes, agent comments are not worth their air into which they're uttered), but either way, Benteke is better off moving to a club where:

* He's appreciated by a manager who sees the value of his skill-set (and how to get the best out of it)

* His manager actually has a viable, discernible plan on how to integrate him into the team.